Open Qing dynasty mansions to the public, Beijing conservationists say
With only two of more than 40 Qing dynasty royal mansions in Beijing open to the public, conservationists are pleading for better use of these unique heritage sites, writes Andrea Chen
Just a block away from the Forbidden City stands one of Beijing's largest Qing-era royal courtyard complexes, the mansion of Prince Li. A plaque near its main entrance identifies the mansion as having been incorporated into the heritage list of the municipal authorities in 1984. But the residential complex that once housed Daishan, the second son of Qing dynasty founder Nurhaci who was elevated to the position of Prince Li, is closed to visitors virtually year round. Few people have the opportunity to learn what lies within its walls, let alone take a closer look at its structure.
One resident living nearby recalls her experience when she tried to take photos of its ornate front doors.
"A guard in military uniform opened the gate and told me it was a prohibited military zone," says the resident, who declined to be named. "He asked me to show him the pictures I took and then deleted them."
Heritage sites like princes' mansions are cultural resources that should be shared by the public, not a privileged few
The mansion is among several dozen royal residences from the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) now utilised as government offices. The emperor's siblings typically moved out of the imperial palace after reaching adulthood, and manorial complexes were built in the inner city as their personal homes. But following the establishment of the People's Republic of China, many were taken over by government departments, military and public institutions.
Prince Li's mansion was turned into offices for the Ministry of Interior Affairs (now Civil Affairs) soon after the Communist Party seized power in 1949. To many elderly residents in Xicheng district, it is better known as the former residence of Hua Guofeng, who succeeded Mao Zedong as party chairman.
There is no information on which official or department took over from Hua, but PLA songs and slogans emanating from the heritage site are reminders to the public that visitors are not welcome.
